My cell phone bill

[BigBigBear]

Throughout May and through mid-June, while my wife was sick and I was living in her hospital room and tending to her at home, I was glued to my cell phone - everyone had the number; doctors, family, counselors, friends, the funeral parlor, insurance companies, her clients....everyone.

In the past, we used the phones to just talk to each other; 'coming home a little late tonight', 'what did you want me to get at the grocery store again?', etc. We had a low-minute plan, no ld. I paid the minimum every month.

My June bill: $1254.17

[trof]

1. Holy cow!

Home equity loan?
Probably not funny.
:-(

[Gothic Sponge]

2. YIKES!

[Az_lefty]

3. that's nothing to joke about....

:cry:

[prolesunited]

4. Perhaps you could call and ask for a reduction

Explain the situation and tell them you had no idea what the charges would be in your grief-stricken state. Perhaps you'll find a compassionate person to help you out. It's worth a shot.

How's everything else? How are you hanging in there?

[BigBigBear]

8. On with them now

They can take $150/line off the bill - reducing it to $954.

If I disconnect her line, that will cost $175 because it's in contract until 3/05 - so it makes more sense to keep it going, pay an extra $15/month for it (25 mins/mo), on top of my new contract on my line, on top of a monthly cut of the $954 bill.

How am I doing? Shit like this is peanuts by comparison...I'm a broken man, money means nothing to me.

[Not Me]

5. Call your provider.

Or better yet, stop in to the provider's (not reseller's) store if there is one near you and explain the situation. I have heard of situations where they will put you on a backdated plan to cover your overage. You have to do it before your next bill is calculated though, and you may need to stay on that plan for a couple months...perhaps even a year; but it's still better than what you are facing.

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I hope this helps.

[physioex]

6. I think it is very important...

For people to take time and understand what type of service they purchased and the costs associated. Please take the time and read the fine print on all the contracts you sign. Perhaps this traumatic incident made you forget some of these things, but learn from this mistake.... Good Luck

[Bunny]

7. Golly!

That is a huge bill. As others here have said, maybe try talking to your cell provider. Under the circumstances, they may cut you a break. If you need help, you know we DUers are a pretty generous bunch - don't be shy about asking.

How are you doing otherwise? Are you eating, sleeping? Take care of yourself, hon. Lots of folks here care about you! :hug:

[On the Road]

9. I've Had Some Shockers Too

I finally broke down and spent another $20 for a bigger block of time. It's definitely paid for itself -- the price structure encourages you to buy for high volume months, not the average month. But it usually requires going over.

One suggestion -- if you had any delayed billing -- your bill didn't get there on time -- that's another basis for asking for a reduction. Just a thought. I work for the local phone company part of Verizon and they can be very strict on giving refunds without a good reason.

[lpbk2713]

10. Good to hear from you again, BBB........ Welcome back!

Hope you're as well as can be expected.

[BigBigBear]

12. Hi lpbk2713

People ask me how I'm doing, in good faith. I don't know how to answer.

Except, I miss my wife.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

13. Be honest.

People who care will listen. Those who don't won't ask at all. You're in our prayers, BBB.
Duckie

[trof]

14. I can imagine

but then again I can't, really.
To look around and not see Miz t. there is unthinkable.
I don't think you take it a day at a time.
I think you take it a minute or two at a time.
You're in my thoughts.

[Ratty]

11. I got one of those prepaid plans and I'm loving it

I really sorry to hear about your family's troubles. I hope you can talk the phone company down a bit on that bill. That's a pretty staggering amount.

I had surgery a couple of weeks ago and was laid up in bed for awhile so I figured I should have a cell phone so I got one of those prepaid dealies. Man I LOVE that thing.

You buy prepaid cards in just about any store in quantities of $10, $20, $50 etc. You don't sign a contract, you're not trapped with some provider, it's not possible to go "over." You don't even have to give them your name or address or anything if you don't want to. You don't sign up for anything. You just call them up to activate it. You have a full set of features, voice mail, text messages, caller id, all of that as well. It's 20 cents a minute but if you use your cell phone rarely or only for emergencies like me, that's soooo much cheaper than $40 a month.

[liberalhistorian]

15. I agree, I just got one of those a few weeks

ago and it's GREAT! NO HASSLE! No damned contracts or monthly bills or worrying about going over or getting hassled by the company if you're a half hour late with the goddamned payment. And I consider it a downright crime for people to have to deal with crap like this and worry about money when they're going through what BBB is going through.